Beginning with the 2002-2003 school year, students in grades 4-6 were welcomed to a newly built Lawndale Elementary School. The 4.5 million dollar facility located in the southern region of Tupelo was funded by a bond issue passed by the Tupelo School Board of Trustees. The school is designed to provide a learning environment that is academically stimulating, child-centered and targets the physical, educational, and social needs of students. Lawndale has 100% of its teachers meeting the NCLB definition of highly qualified. Seven of the staff members are national board certified and two are currently working on this certification. Lawndale has approximately 620 students. Lawndale Elementary an accredited school by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges, met Adequate Yearly Progress in ten out of ten areas in 2004-2005.